FEL bucket-mount forks - BX25

[glemans]

My dealer says forks mounted on the loader bucket like the clever looking BXpander forks won't lift enough weight to bother with (longer lever arm). Any experience with these?

 

[radioman]

glemans- depends on how much is the weight you are referring to. Technically as per the BX documents, the loader can lift 235lbs. I can tell you I have lifted more then that - shhhh just dont tell the safety police .

Question is, is 235lbs significant enough for you? That is pretty much a good eating guy sitting in the bucket. The BX can lift that much all day long with no ill effects whereas we can only do it a few times and then get tired. The BX can move quite a few of tons of dirt this way with no problem.

You decide.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I have FEL loader forks. I've used them on B's and BX's. Currently have a BX25.
These pictures are on a BX2660 carring a double recliner couch up the drive.

 

[dennisgw]

Radioman, BX documents may say 200+ kilograms, NOT 235 lbs. My BX spec is something like 460 lbs. I also have the Bxpander forks. Very useful for carrying many things, BUT, you cannot lift more than what it was designed for and more likely less if your weight tends to be at the tips of the forks. If you want to lift branches, tree trunks, pallets, etc that weigh less than 460 lbs you are fine.

 

[Tom_H]

You might also consider brush forks, depending upon what you intend to move. If primarily pallets, pallet forks are better; if primarily brush, then brush forks are better, but either one can move both. Both will move furniture, etc; I have moved a lot of furniture with my BX using brush forks. Even a toothbar or landscape rake on the FEL can help you scoop stuff into the bucket better. Another helpful addition is a FEL bucket grapple, which can be used in combination with a toothbar or brush forks. (Let me know if you want to read more and/or see pics of this-I can dig up the old threads in the archives.) Chain hooks and slip hooks are also an inexpensive and valuable addition to a FEL.

A carry-all on the 3ph can move heavier pallets than your FEL with pallet forks can; it just can't lift the pallets high. If you only need to move things, but don't need to lift more than a foot off the ground, you might consider a carry-all. It's very versatile. I have used mine to move furniture and also as a base for my strap-down 15 gal. sprayer. If you want to shrink wrap firewood on pallets and be able to move them from say a barn to the house throughout the winter, the carry-all will be able to lift that kind of weight, while the FEL with forks may not (especially without counterweight on the rear). If you want to stack pallets, you need the FEL with forks, but be very careful about lifting a lot of weight really high with a BX; it could easily tip.

I have this brush fork:

Paynesforks.com - Debris Forks

 

[glaziaj1]

I hve a BX25 with the Bxpanded forks and i use theme almost every week, they are so handy

 

[radioman]

Radioman, BX documents may say 200+ kilograms, NOT 235 lbs. My BX spec is something like 460 lbs. I also have the Bxpander forks. Very useful for carrying many things, BUT, you cannot lift more than what it was designed for and more likely less if your weight tends to be at the tips of the forks. If you want to lift branches, tree trunks, pallets, etc that weigh less than 460 lbs you are fine.

ahh yeah -- i might'v read it wrong.. . lol! thanks for pointing it out:thumbsup: But my point is the same. BX is pretty capable, but not sure what OP is trying to do and why salesman trying to steer him away from BX.

 

[CT Jay]

I really like my BXpanded forks for my BX25.

I used them not too long ago (just before we got buried by snow back in Dec) to move a pile of brush that I had originally accumulated for chipping but then decided just to move it away and dump it out in the woods. I narrowed the spacing of the two forks a little bit, then chugged right into the bottom of the pile, curled & lifted the heap and carried it off. Neat, easy.

You have to be sure, though, if doing something like that, to dump while you're on fairly level ground, because when you uncurl the bucket to dump the load, the length of the forks requires quite a high bucket lift for the fork tips to clear the ground when you tip the FEL down, and that means tipover potential if not on reasonably level ground. I'd feel OK traveling along a 10 degree side slope (carefully) but not a chance in the world I'd do a high FEL raise, even with no weight in the bucket, on a tilt like that.

I also use my forks for carrying lumber, etc. I tore down an old treehouse that was falling apart, and carted off the old boards......see jpgs....perfect for that.

If you're going to lift a grand piano, though, then these forks aren't what you need....but then, a BX isn't the machine for the job, either.

J

 

[jb62901]

Im using homemade forks for many things around the place. Thinking I may have had close to 600-700lbs on them ( BX2360) They are also used on the 3PH

http://oi56.tinypic.com/2cf369y.jpg

http://oi37.tinypic.com/wlytqh.jpg

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Technically as per the BX documents, the loader can lift 235lbs.

Where did you get that number from???